Artist's Statement
This piece was inspired by my fear of the suburban lifestyle. I live in a small condo with my husband and two little boys (5 and 2.5). We live in a small downtown area full of galleries, restaurants and clubs, that is experiencing a booming growth spurt. I love the excitement of the city. I love the open minded, diverse people that live here. Every so often we ponder the large house and backyard we could afford in the suburbs, with neighbors that have children, and more room for our growing kids. They could ride bikes in the front yard and we could garden, and all would be perfect. We'd appear to be the perfect family living the American Dream... Then I snap out of it and realize that most of our friends are gay or artsy "weirdo" drama types, my husband does Drag, I like to chop my hair and color it funky even though I am 30 something. I love androgeny, My husband is super "metrosexual", I can't cook, I wouldn't dare wear anything conservative, I haven't seen a neighbor in approximately a month and I like it that way, and I hate strip malls. I am so afraid I would lose all of my individuality or have to repress it, slowly sinking deeper and deeper into suburban hell. I might wake up one day to find myself wearring sequined cartoon sweatshirts and hosting bunco parties while raving over the last tuna casserole recipe I made in the crockpot. I don't need Betty questioning the effect of gay men on my children, or big redneck Joe snooping out the window when we leave for a Drag night out, or anybody knocking on my door just to chat about their boring spouse or perfect kids, or God Forbid to share their latest Thomas Kinkade piece with me because they know "I like art ".
I know the fear is completely blown out of proportion and that life is what you make it, BUT, the suburbs still scare the hell out of me.
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